Windshield for hand-held flame generators or lighters and related methods

ABSTRACT

Generally disclosed are systems that reduce the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena. Generally, the disclosed system is defined by wind-shield with a stack and a vented clip that may be releasably secured to the flame holder of a lighter. In one general mode of use, a cigarette or faggot is provided through the stack for operation with the flame.

RELATED METHODS

The inventors of the subject matter in this document are Josh Pierce and Jeremy Politte.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter in this document is related to hand-held flame generators or lighters and, in particular, to windshields or wind screens for said hand-held flame generators or lighters, said windshields or wind screens including a directing device for shielding the flame of the lighter or establishing the size, shape, or character of the lighter's flame by controlling the flow of air relative thereto.

Background of the Invention

A hand-held lighter is a portable device that can be used to generate a flame. Lighters generally comprise (1) a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable liquid fuel, (2) a wick (e.g., a flexible cord, tape, or tube) with one end that forms a flame holder and that, by capillary action, draws up and feeds the flame holder a steady supply of fuel, and (3) an ignition means (e.g. a spark wheel and stone or flint). In operation, a spark is created by the ignition means that causes combustion of the fuel and a corresponding flame at the flame holder. Lighters are used in a variety of situations and for a variety of purposes.

Without more, the flame of a hand-held lighter is very susceptible to extinguishment by ambient phenomena, such as wind or rain. This susceptibility to ambient extinguishment is generally viewed as an unsatisfactory characteristic of lighters because, in some ambient environments, lighters can become essentially unusable. For example, a tobacco smoker cannot easily light-up a pipe or cigarette using a conventional lighter under windy conditions.

In view of the foregoing, systems have been devised that attempt to reduce the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena. One common system involves cupping one or more hands around the flame holder of an ignited lighter to shield the flame from the ambient conditions. However, this system is (a) dangerous since it involves the placement unprotected hands adjacent to an open flame and (b) not available in all situations since it requires at least one free-hand.

Another system, derived from the cupped hands system, involves the placement of an enclosure around the flame holder so the flame of an ignited lighter may be shielded from the elements. For example, U.S. Des. Pat. No. D680,683 (issued Apr. 23, 2013) discloses a “Lighter wind protector” that is a shield (in the shape of cupped hands) that fits over the flame holder of a lighter. Although enclosing the flame with a shield is safer than the cupped hand system, known shielding systems are too difficult to attach or remove from the lighter, do not provide a shield all the way around the shield holder, or suffocate the flame. Therefore, a need exists for a system that reduces the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena without the undesirable characteristics or shortcomings of known systems for this purpose. More specifically, a need exists for an apparatus that blocks ambient phenomena, like wind, for three hundred and sixty degrees around the flame holder of a lighter while allowing air for combustion when it is directed toward the apparatus at certain angles.

Finally, lighters are sometimes involved in various forms of expression. For instance, lighters are often used by crowds at music concerts or rallies where displaying the lighter's flame (or light therefrom) represents an expression of support or appreciation for the music played or message presented. Known wind or other ambient phenomena shields for lighters have not been satisfactorily employed when the lighter is being used as a mode of expression since the flame and its light are obstructed thereby. As a result, a need exists for a system that reduces the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena without hindering a lighter's expressive abilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of this disclosure to describe a system that reduces the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena without the undesirable characteristics or shortcomings of known systems for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system is defined by wind-shield with a stack, vented hood, and a clip that may be releasably secured to the flame holder of a lighter. In one embodiment, the clip features oppositely positioned thumb wedges that may be separated to release the clip from the lighter. Suitably, vents provided to the hood feature oppositely oriented funnels so that air may be provided to the flame of a lighter for improved combustion during use. In one embodiment, the vents allow air into the stack to promote flame combustion without extinguishment whenever the air is directed toward the apparatus at certain angles. In a preferred embodiment, the clip further features a window so that any advertising or insignia on the lighter may be viewed through the window of the clip. In another embodiment, the clip, hood, and stack are constructed of a transparent or translucent and colored material so that the flame or its light may be viewable through the clip and stack, emitting an ambient glow from within, which can be used to project advertising outside of the stack. In one mode of use, a cigarette or faggot is provided through the stack for operation with the flame. In another mode of use, a flame is struck so that light may be emitted through the sides of the stack as a form of expression.

Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in the art after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associated figures. For instance, other devices featuring rotary controls exist that require specific settings while being susceptible to accidental disruption during use and transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wind-shield;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wind-shield;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A is a back view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5A is another side view of the wind shield of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6A is a top view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A; and,

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the wind-shield of FIG. 1A.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are not to be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assemblies may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

Generally disclosed are systems that reduce the susceptibility of hand-held lighters to extinguishment by ambient phenomena. Generally, the disclosed system is defined by wind-shield with a stack and a vented clip that may be releasably secured to the flame holder of a lighter. In one general mode of use, a cigarette or faggot is provided through the stack for operation with the flame. Other more specific aspects of the disclosed wind-shield are disclosed with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wind-shield 1000. FIGS. 2 through 6 are respectively a front view, a back view, a side view, another side view, a top view, and a bottom view. As shown, the wind-shield 1000 is preferably defined by: (a) a clip 1100; and (b) a hood 1200; and (c) a stack 1300.

The clip 1100 is best shown by FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7. Referring first to FIG. 7, the clip 1100 may be a resilient support member of polymeric material that forms a unitary structure 1110 generally C-shaped in cross section and capable of being snapped onto a tubular or ovular object, the outer diameter of which object corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the profile of the unitary structure of the clip 1100. In a preferred embodiment, the clip 1100 may be an ovular C-shaped cross section for snapping on to a standard Bic® cigarette lighter. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, a preferred embodiment of the clip 1100 features a thumb wedge 1111 about the opening of the c-shaped structures 1110 so that the clip 1100 may be pushed off of a lighter after use. As shown in 1, 2, and 4, the clip 1100 features uprights 1120 with nubs 1121 which, as discussed later below in connection with FIG. 8, may be inserted into cooperating holes in a lighter to further secure the wind-shield 1000 in place during use. Finally, the clip 1100, as illustrated in FIG. 4, features a window 1130 so that an insignia or other image on a lighter may be displayed via the window 1130. See, e.g., FIG. 8.

FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 best illustrate the hood 1200. As shown the hood 1200 is positioned atop the clip 1100 and is configured to receiving the flame holder of a lighter (not shown) while leaving the ignition means of the lighter (not shown) exposed for manipulation. In the preferred embodiment, the hood 1200 is vented to permit air to flow within the hood 1200 for combustion while an open flame is disposed therein. To accomplish said venting, the hood 1200 features oppositely oriented vents 1210 on either side of the hood 1200 so that air may be introduced inside the hood in a helical configuration regardless of ambient wind direction.

FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 best illustrate the stack 1300. As shown, the stack 1300 is preferably defined by an upstanding tubular structure that extends upwardly above the hood 1200. Although shown as tubular, the stack 1300 need not be a cylindrical tube and may, in other embodiments, have a cross section that is not circular. In one embodiment, the stack is approximately 3 to 4 inches long. In another embodiment, the clip, hood, and stack are constructed of a transparent or translucent and colored material so that the flame or its light may be viewable through the clip and stack.

FIG. 8 illustrates a transparent wind-shield installed on a standard Bic® lighter 2000. As shown, the clip 1100 has been snapped over the upper body of the lighter 2000 so that the flame holder 2100 of the lighter 2000 is positioned within the 1200 of the wind-shield 1000 with the stack 1300 extending upwardly therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the nibs (1121, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7) are positioned within corresponding nib receptacles 2200 of the lighter. Suitably, an insignia 2400 may be displayed through the window 1130 of the clip 1100. In the depicted embodiment, the igniting means 2300 is exposed adjacent the hood 1200 and, when in use, a flame may be ignited within the stack 1300.

Still referring to FIG. 8, the device may be used in a couple of different ways. First, the wind shield 1000 may be used via igniting the lighter 2000, allowing air through the vents 1210 of the hood 1200 for combustion, inserting the tip of a cigarette or faggot (not shown) down the stack 1300, and igniting the cigarette or faggot (not shown). In another embodiment, the wind-shield may be used to emit light through the transparent or translucent stack as a mode of expression. Preferably, an off-hand may be cupped around the hood for additional blockage of wind during use of the device.

FIGS. 1A through 7A illustrate an alternate embodiment of the disclosed wind shield. The structural similarities and functional aspects of the wind shield depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8 and the wind-shield depicted in FIGS. 1A through 7A will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the stack is not entirely tubiform and the vents 1210 are holes through the hood 1200.

The claims filed herewith are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into the specification as if fully set forth herein.

Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. While various embodiments of the method and apparatus have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams might depict an example of an architectural or other configuration for the disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that might be included in the method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features might be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented to implement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein might be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 

I claim:
 1. A wind-shield comprising: a clip; a vented hood; and a stack. 